What is the draw and pull that Europe has? Is it the plethora of cultures all compacted into one area? Is it the history that resounds all over the place whether in architecture, art, or the prerequisite monuments? Is it that romantic allure that seems to bleed from the streets?

For me it's the combination of all the above. Let's face it, the United States is just a mere child in terms of how long we've been around in the world. Europe is filled with a history that goes way back to early, early times. People who created maritime trading. Explorers examining their world and challenging boundaries. Rulers and dictators. Artists and musicians. So much to discover and only a little time to do it.

I have to confess the last time I went to Sweden to visit my friend, I was lost in the European haze. It took a lot of effort to try and examine all these interesting things that the city of Stockholm had to offer. The best, and most interesting, museum that I got to see was the Vasa Musset. This museum was built around the Vasa ship built by one of Sweden's kings to be the largest ship built at the time, 1620. It made it halfway through the harbor then immediately sank. Needless to say it wasn't exactly a grand time for that king. Years later the ship was returned back to the surface and this museum was built around the restored ship and all the artifacts from the ship were displayed. I do believe I'll be back there soon to check out the boat...

Also for me it's the adventure of Europe. The unknown as to what will happen. Where will you go? What clubs will you jam at until all hours of the morning? On this trip what will it be like to get to Finland and Helsinki? Other than seeing my friend's band play in an afternoon event there are no other plans. What will happen? It's the fun mystery of Europe.

So I return to my planning and passport issues thinking of the Audi taxi cabs with leather interior, the vendors on the main streets selling great hotdogs with garlic cheese (trust me it's good after a hangover), all those cell phones ringing in the streets, and the companionship of my good friend that I see once a year if I'm lucky. (and thankfully he speaks Swedish pretty well so I'll have an interpreter...)

- LewisG

Monday and it's snowing here....this is April 29th right? I haven't been sucked into some random vortex and placed me back in December or something?

Nothing is more exciting than watching multiple sporting events on numerous TV's while eating good food and having good drinks. Even better when you consider witnessing the first no-hitter in over 40 years for the Red Sox, a loss but a great effort from the Bruins, and seeing your ex- back with her ex- before you. Some things just write themselves on here...

Now when meeting someone you have to consider the amount of baggage they have. Usually the initial meeting isn't enough to get a "read" on the amount of baggage. But the second time..whoa boy! This one was trying to bring the three baggage maximum through check in, two oversized carry on's, and trying to bring golf clubs on the plane. We're talking major baggage folks. At most they should have one carry on and a purse. Tops...

Got invited to Stockholm and Finland. Been to Stockholm before and it's a beautiful city. Finland is a bit more new to me but equally exotic and European. The issue is whether I can get my passport, airline tickets, and spending money together in four weeks. I'm gonna make it happen. Eric prepare the pull out couch, I'm coming over...

Sundays were made for laziness. Of course if the weather is really nice then being lazy outside is acceptable. If it's raining and you've had a tough emotional weekend, there is nothing better than a few good movies, your pets around you, and a few happy nuggets to keep the mood light and airy.

Hope everyone had a great weekend and is enjoying the beginning of the week. :o)

Ahhh...the Final Friday Edition and it's time to relieve my brain of a few things...

There is a new television show being shopped around to the networks and cable outlets called (and I'm not lying here), Ultimate Dodgeball. It official any sport can get TV coverage. What's next? Lawn Darts? Full Contact Parchesi?

Defense wins hockey games. Defense and playing with heart wins hockey games in the playoffs. (Oh and having a huge hit at the end of the game didn't hurt either. Unless you were the player being hit...)

Scientist discovered that the universe is about 13 billion years old. In an unrelated story, it was discovered that Spam meat (can you call it a meat?) has the same shelf life...

I just find it really sad and cute that there was a memorial service for a police dog killed during the tragic September 11th events. More than 100 K-9's from across the country will walk past the dog's remains. The dog's name was Sirius and he was a 5 year old yellow lab. I now can't wait to go home and give my pup a hug tonight....)

- LewisG

How many of you have heard from a friend or an acquaintance that they "have someone you have just got to meet. You two would be such a cute couple together..."? It's the set up date. And I was officially pulled into the set up yesterday. All it took was a simple phone call from my hairdresser no less. And to make it more comical the woman I was to meet, I was introduced to her when on a dinner date with my hairdresser about three months ago. And she remembered me fully. Scary ain't it... But I digress...

On a personal level, the set up causes shivers up and down my spine. I think about one in three times that I've been set up by someone it works out to some extent. The other times it's just not a match from the beginning. In the past four or five years I have kept the mantra that if I hear that statement of being set up with the "perfect person for you", I run. Very fast in the other direction without looking back. I prefered to not make it a stressful situation and a more casual experience. Another issue with that is you're possibly offending the friend of yours trying to do the set up. And in the future when she thinks she may have someone for you then she'll pass on asking you. So it's a bit of a catch-22. Therefore since it was the person who is cutting my hair once a month and I like my hair the way it is I accepted.

Now it's important to remember that even in the set up situation that it's good idea to have a bit of a back up plan if things are just not going well. The most popular and the easiest to organize is the "sidekick", and I'm saying that in a non derogatory way... Having a friend tag along can lead to a better situation. That person can assist in keeping flow in conversations when they may go flat. Relaxes you a bit cause around your sidekick you are normal and not so damn stiff. Definitely can loosen you up. They can get drinks for you when you are in the middle of a conversation. Can run the pick and roll with her friends so that you can have a quiet, alone time to chat. If things aren't going well, the sidekick also is the perfect partner in crime for the quick escape. Can also assist you out of the bar in case you drank too much. Can fake a stomach ache and request a ride home, therefore requering a quick exit. And remember, if things are going that badly then at least you are leaving the bar with someone.

So you are walking into the bar/club and you're scanning the room for the person. If you are lucky then you showed up before her and can relax with a quick cocktail to quell the nerves. If not you scan the room quickly to find a familiar face or the person who is setting you two up. Once eye contact is made then it's go time. Walking towards them you are having a conversation in your brain for all embarrasing first moments that could occur. Breath okay? Yes, took a Listerine tab before I came in. Sweating? Nope, too damn cold out last night. My fly up? (after a quick, casual glance down...yup...whew) Then you meet the person and they look as about as nervous as you do. Which is a great relief. Noticing her drink is almost gone, you go get her a drink. Not only is it a nice, chivalrous move but it helps you get rid of the dry mouth now circulating your tongue. Nervousness will do that to you. Then you chat. Topics always start the same. What do you do? Where are you from? Musical tastes? I always like to through a curve ball in there to test out the person and ask them a question about a recent news topic. Wierd? Most definitely but it shows how much she may know and could turn into a great debate about something. If you asked something that she is pretty passionate about then you learn more about the person than you would otherwise.

From there, my readers, it's up to you. Some words of advice. Martini's kick you in the ass about one hour or so after finishing the third one. It doesn't matter how bad you are dancing there is someone who is always dancing worse than you. And remember if things are going well make sure you get the number. And if you're lucky, you may also get the email too.

- LewisG

Everything Zen by Bush...

That song came out in the summer of 1994. That was my last long summer before Senior year in College. Turning 21. A new car. Funny how music can transport you back in time to a certain part of your life. From the vistas you may have seen while listening to the song, to the smells, it all comes back to you in some form or another.

How many of you hear a song on the radio that was "your song" when you were dating someone? If the relationship was terrible then the music can and will conjure up all the bad memories and feelings. Immediately your hand reaches for the dial and the station or CD will change. If the relationship was a fun, positive time, then the music stays as is. Hell you may even turn it up to let the memories flow.

As I sit here and write this I'm listening to the album. (Sixteen Stone for those of you not up on the band Bush.) This album brings me back to that summer and all the bad craziness that ensued. Driving in Boston. Weaving my small Honda CRV in and out of traffic downtown. Blaring my new CD player to ridiculous levels. Coming in town after working at the retail mecca of Lord and Taylor and heading out on the town with my friends. Acting completely indestructable. Going out to bars on Landsdowne Street and seeing bands play at concert halls. Truly a summer to remember. And remember all those memories came from hearing just one song....

It is funny cause I'm repeadedly asked why or how I can listen to old school songs. Not just the classic rock but even one hit wonders of the 80's. For one, at one point in my life, these songs were the bomb to listen to. To coin a phrase, they were part of the soundtrack of my life. Even the 80's music. Even Zeppelin and Cat Stevens. Especially those last two cause that music played on a crappy 8 track player in my mom's Jeep Wagoneer 24 - 7.

Music is created for many reasons. Personal feelings. Political messages. Entertainment. But more importantly the music is created to let you forget about your own issues and take you away, without the Calgon. To get you pumped up for a night out or keep you awake on a long driving expedition. It is there to invoke a feeling inside of you. It may be really subtle or it may be right in your face. But it is there. The good songs are the ones that stick with you for years. Songs that never lose their meaning or power over you.

So I put it to you, my daily readers, go home and yank that old, dust covered tape case of all the songs you had to tape off the radio. Maybe you have the last remaining copy of Debbie Gibson's first album or a copy of Grandmaster Flash. Throw it in the ancient tape deck you own and shut your eyes. Remember where you were when you first heard this song. You'll be flooded with cool memories of your life and you will reopen them with a smile on your face.

So I'm gonna go home today and throw in an 80's mix and propel myself back to the more carefree days of summer camps, bike riding, and Spuds MacKenzie. Times like these that we live in today require that we remember the carefree days.

- LewisG

Happiness is...responses from the readers...

From Kerri.... "making me smile this weekend::: first whiffle ball game of the summer : 9 innings, field lit up by car lights scattered around the infamous yard of the scarborough house, so we could finish the game! and the fact that my team won!! :)"

From Kelly.... "Every day I wake up happy because of the person I wake up next to and the friends and family that I have in my life, but this past Friday night went into my book as one of the top 20 days of my life. And Paul McCartney was to thank for it :o)"

From Jerry.... "-Cherry blossoms waving by my window
-The Sun finally saying, "Hello!"
-A good, long, uninterrupted bike ride on an empty
road
-A Marshall stack cranked beyond all reasonable and
sane levels
-Watching your lover stretch in bed on a Sunday
afternoon, knowing you have nowhere to be and nothing
to do but brunch and each other.

Discovered a few things this past weekend that truly defined the happiness that I have in my life. Sometimes we forget about the things that make us happy when extraneous circumstances enter our life. It's important to remember those things that put a smile on your face. Without them we'd be a pretty sad lot of people. So without much further ado...

Happiness is....

...waking up from a nap and finding all three pets you own asleep in little balls around your body. Including one resting on your head.

...asking a friend to surpise you when getting you a drink at a bar. That person returns with the most perfect drink for the time and occasion. ahhh Tangaray and Tonic....so refreshing

...having all three of my teams win on the same day. (Yeah, yeah, I know I covered that yesterday but damnit, it was a happy day!!...lol)

...hearing from my grandmother that I've done well in my life. It's nice to get kudos from the matriarch of the family, especially when you hear it once a decade. Gotta love the critical grandmother...lol

...running out of a vital ingredient while making homemade salad dressing and having a cute neighbor to ask for some honey....[insert your own comment here...]

...seeing my dog on the beach for the first time this year and the amount of glee that he had running into the water and rolling his soaking wet fur into the dry sand. Completely care free and if he could smile (or if I knew what a dog smile looked like) he'd be going ear to fuzzy ear...

...discovering that after a hellish two months, that my creative juices are stronger than ever and my journal has never been more filled.

What about you? What one thing let's you relax and just smile? Send me one and I'll post it here. My address is at the top of the screen.

- LewisG

Websters dictionary defines king as being: "A male sovereign or one that is supreme or preeminent in a particular group, category, or sphere."

Yesterday in the Hub of the East Coast, there was an actual sighting of dual playoff games at the FleetCenter (the Vault). Starting off the festivities were the players of round ball, the Celtics. They just hammered the 76ers. Allen Iverson, back from a thumb injury during the end of the regular season, came out in a flurry but sputtered with only three points in the final three quarters of the game. Paul Pierce of the Celtics kept the team on the roll they finished the regular season with and we ended the game up 1 - 0 in the best of five series. Dreams of an LA Lakers and Boston Celtics final dancing in my head after that game.

Then out came the bull gang. The bull gang is the FleetCenter's surfacing crew. They take care of putting up the boards for hockey and setting up for the basketball games. Directly following the Celtic's 92 - 82 drubbing of the 76ers, the gang was out on the court removing all the screws for the parquet flooring and readying the building for game two of the Bruins and the Canadiens that night. Up go the boards, the ice surface appears, benches are placed in, and the place now resembles a hockey arena in less than two hours.

But during all of these repairs and engineering feats, the Red Sox played a double header in Kansas City, home of the Pro/AAA team, the Royals. Another two wins for the hometown Sox as they belted 6 home runs in two games and outscored the Royals by a gaudy 20 - 9. The second win also set a neew team record for consecutive road vicotries by the Sox. As long as we are ahead of the damn Yankees, I'll be happy...

The finale of the day was the Bruins vs. the Canadiens. Unfortunately not carried by a Portland television station at all, I was forced to listen to the radio and catch the highlights on ESPN2. After scoring four unanswered goals in the first period things seemed to be going the B's way. Good defense and smart play in the neutral zone created more oopportunities for the team. However the tenacity of le Habs began to turn the tide and the next thing we knew it was a 4 -2 game at the end of one. In the end the defensive play of the B's proved to be too much for the Canadiens as they went down in defeat 6 - 4. Off to Canada for game 3 on Tuesday and a chance to take the lead in the series. It's been 30 years without a cup in Beantown (and not brought back by an ex-player) and it's our time.

That is why it is good to be king in New England today. Three teams, four victories. Four teams if you count the Bledsoe deal with Buffalo (can't wait for Brady vs. Bledsoe I...wonder if it will be like the tuna bowl?). All in all a great day. Even the impending snow shower coming today can't extinguish the fires of great play from the hometown teams.

- LewisG

Cleaning out the mind of the blog writer...

Paid bills yesterday. I don't mind doing it. I like to have energy and cable in my apartment. But why can't they make flavored envelope glue? That stuff is by far the nastiest tasting stuff in the world.

When dealing with a tough situation in your life it's best to follow what you think is best for you. Remember that your own happiness is the most important aspect you can have in your life.

Even when you team loses the first game of the playoffs, don't panic. It is a seven game series after all.

Everyone enjoy the weekend. Live it up as much as humanly possible. Let's face it we only have two days until we have to get back to work....

- LewisG

Why is it that between the middle of April until mid-May, I get absolutely no sleep? None. I'll tell ya why. The damn west coast NHL playoff games. Especially when they go to overtime and then you are almost forced to watch and sit there in your barely awake state until one of the teams manages to put the rubber in the net.

Now don't get me wrong. I could make the conscious decision to crash into my bed. But this is the most intense playoff series that you will find in any sport. I love the NHL playoffs. The other playoffs, unless one of my Boston teams are playing, aren't worth watching. NBA playoffs. Only the final minute is exciting and it still takes 20 minutes for the final minute to run through. Baseball games are so damn slow that it takes over 4 hours to play a game. NFL playoffs are the only playoffs that rank a close second to the NHL.

Some rules to follow for the NHL playoffs:

1.) Make sure all beverages and snacks are close at hand or can be reheated during commercial breaks.
2.) If you wear contacts bring plenty of eye moistener as your eyes will not blink during play.
3.) If you own a dog with a weak bladder, remember that there is a 20 minute break in between periods. If it is overtime, forget it...
4.) If the phone rings during the game, do not panic. It's your friends calling to chastise you about the "soft" goal your team just let up. Let them rant and rave and remind them that the series are best out of seven and not who scores first.
5.) There is no crying in baseball. That is a given. In hockey there is no bathroom breaks during overtime.
6.) It is okay to wear your team's jersey during their playoff run. And I would even recommend at work but only for the first game of the series. After a while the shirt may start to smell a bit on the disgusting side...
7.) Playoff beards are for the players not the fans.
8.) If you are out on a date don't worry. Most places will have a television at the bar, which is normally conveniently located by the bathroom.
9.) If your date doesn't understand hockey this is a good time to get her glued to the set. Explain the rules and make it a fun time. This way when a playoff game is on she may perk up and say that she wants to watch it. Ladies that would be major extra points in our book.

There are probably more rules that others can think of and when I get them I'll be sure to post them here for ya. Send suggestions to lewisf@delorme.com.

Go Bruins!!

- LewisG

okay I know everyone is salivating at learning the outcome of my return to tennis land...well it was interesting to say the least. Playing against Ed "Swing for the Fences" Luetje it was fun. Just plain fun. Good weather and a laugh at each point. As for me let's just say that I'm not going to make Wimbledon anytime soon. ;o)

And I know it aches. How your heart it breaks. You can only take so much. Walk On - U2, Walk On. I was told these are good words to live by...

Planning out a few financials I started looking at multiunit apartment houses in the lovely, crime free mecca of Portland. After talking with a few people, there are a lot of things that are beneficial with becoming a landlord. One all the fun (yeah right...) repair jobs you get to do. Late night calls from the police complaining about the burning couch on the front lawn. Mortgage payments. There are numerous other ones but I don't want to bore you with the details of it. It does, for me at least, seem to be a great challenge. Managing a building and all it's occupants. With any luck the building I purchase will already have a great set of renters who pay on time and like each other. Now if I could only get a handle on plumbing maintenance.....sigh

Great quote I got at Ri Ra's, a Portland watering hole, the other night. Dance as if no one were watching, sing as if no one was listening, and live each day as if it were your last! Really wish I thought that one up... ;o)

- LewisG

Had to pass this along...

For those of you in the reading audience located in or around the great Portland metropolis....this is for you!!

Now I normally don't get too amped to write about a concert that is coming up but man is this one just a great treat. On April 28th, a Sunday, the great intergalactic band, Motor Booty Affair, will perform on the Scotia Prince. And opening up is an acquaintance of mine's band called Sly Chi. (The Scotia Prince, for those of you reading the West Coast Edition, is a cruise ship that travels between Portland and Nova Scotia, Canada.) The event is 5 hours on the ship traveling out to sea for some great music, buffet food, drinks (a given), and some casino action. Start time is 5pm and it runs until 10PM or whenever they dock in the Old Port. If I heard correctly the tickets are roughly 32.50 and proceeds will benefit a charity. They are available at any area Key Bank. They'll have details as to what the money is for and how many drink tickets you can get....

Now the fun part. When does the first person fall on the deck? Who will be the one that feels sea sick? How much money will I lose at the poker table? And how bad will my dancing really be? Find out the answers to these questions and many more on August 28th!! Hope to see a few of you there at least!! (You may be blurry at that point but so won't I!!

- LewisG

Clearing out the fog in the morning with a special thanks and kudos to Geep for the homemade lasagna and Amaretto pie last night. Haven't slept that soundly in a month or so. Thanks Geep! And MK thanks for ride....with my full stomach I would have made it halfway before I would need a cab... ;o)

Today will mark my first return engagement to the tennis court in two years. Nothing as exciting as seeing Agassi or Sampras on the court. More like one of the Three Stooges. Some history for you, if you will. I started playing the sport when I was three. Yes, three. There were public courts and a backboard across the street from my home in Milton, Massachusetts and being pretty good with hand/eye coordination my mom figured it would be good to get me a racket. I used that racket daily for three years and didn't look back. Played all the way until I was 26. Got to teach the sport to hundreds of people in my life and probably hooked at least a few of them. But after feeling my body begin to ache in places there shouldn't be aches the rackets were placed in the back of the closet in storage. Finally after a few years of picking up hockey and weight training it was time to return. I'm really looking forward to it. When something was a major part of your life, an activity, hobby, or even signifigant other, it's tough not to want to go back and see what happens. Well today is the day. Nervous? You bet. I may have taken two years off but I still have my pride when it comes to my ability. I'm just hoping for a few solid rally's and hopefully one or two serves to go in. Since it appears that tennis is now a weekly thing for me it's only a matter of time before the rest of my game returns. Or so I hope. Probably just pant and sweat while I'm being run in circles...

- LewisG

Okay new rule for mother nature....Monday's need to be warm and sunny. This whole damp and dreary mornings don't exactly help when trying to get out of bed in the morning. Because let's face it, when you get up in the morning the bed is the most comfortable, soft, and warm that it has ever been. And leaving that secure landscape for the cold floor and air just doesn't rank as an option. Nope it doesn't. No matter which way you slice it. It just plain sucks to get out of bed early in the morning. Hence why we all love the weekend cause, unless you have a family, there is no alarm to listen to at 6AM anymore.

Some observations from this weekend...

If you plan on going food shopping for a "few" items, the time it takes to get these items and get to the checkout is normally about 25% of the total time you are in the store. The other 75% is spent in the aisle that appears to have a permanent line for a price check.

Cats are placed on this earth for two things. Act really sweet and innocent when around humans. Once the human is either gone or in bed then open all the cabinets and knock anything that isn't strapped down onto the floor.

No matter how long you bike for, you will always end up ass over tea kettle in a mud hole...

New drink for the summer (with kudos to Lisa for informing me of it), Vanilla Stoli, Ginger Ale, and a lemon. Add some ice and mix. Tastes like a creamsicle. A definite 10. Hangover potential: 3 (low).

No matter how down you feel or how much the day just is not what you hoped for, a dog can cheer up anyone. You don't even have to like dogs. They are just plain happy to be around you. And they know when you need that extra smile. :o)

- LewisG

...for the dog lovers in the audience...from the Latin...

Qui me amat, amet et Canus meum

Love me. Love my DOG.

- St. Bernard AD 1150

Clearing out the brain of the blog writer...

Gotta make a book recommendation. If you have read "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer about the Everest climb then pick up "Seven Summits". A duo decides to climb all the highest peaks in the seven continents. Great stories of their trials and climbs up some difficult terrain and how they succeeded in their bid for all seven peaks.

A special thanks to Edwardo and Melissa for the feast last night. Tuna steaks with a special rub maranade. Homemade salsa. Tons of fixings. Truly a delicious meal. Of course the after effects are a whole other story...

One great thing about Spring is the extra hour you get of sunlight at night. The bad thing about Spring is Spring cleaning. It's wierd how much extra crap you collect in the winter....

The NHL playoffs begin in a few days. My hometown Boston Bruins look like they'll finish with the first seed and home ice advantage in the playoffs. Hopefully when I go this year they will win the game...

And finally it's Friday!!!!! End of another grueling week for some and the end of a boring week for others. I'll see most of you at happy hour. And I'm still not buying... Have a wonderful weekend and go out and enjoy the spring like weather!!

- LewisG

As an addition to the below blog....

Only 32 hours until Happy Hour with my friends....fresh beer and Margarita's for all!! I'm not buying but I'm sure you'd like me to...

- LewisG

What really classifies a person as a friend? I guess there are many theories that discuss this question in much detail. Plato. Socrates. Shakespeare. JD Salinger. Even Hunter S. Thompson. All of these writers have one point or another either discussed the friend theory or have discussed friendship in their stories. But as an individual what constitues a friend to you? For me a friend requires certain traits and/or characteristics that allow for full trust. How can I explain this? hmmm.... Well, for example, when my mom passed away in 1986 I had only a couple of good friends that I would pal around with. One in particular was my baseball catcher, Jerry. He spent the entire time, through the numerous wake hours, the funeral mass, and the burial, with me. Stood by my side the entire time. Hell I was only just 13 (had my birthday a mere 5 days before she passed away) at the time and probably looked as white as a ghost with barely any motor skills whatsoever. He helped me through a tough time and stuck with me. Talked to me about things. Hence why he is my best friend. Even today we can get together after a long hiatus and it seems as if we hung out just the night before. With him i have trust, a person I can tell anything to, have a backboard for problems, and if anything goes askew for me I know he'd be there to help. And the same goes for a number of my friends. It may take time to allow a person into your inner sanctum of thoughts and feelings but when they are in, they are locked in for life. To all my friends that I have now and in the future, I thank you for your unwavering support and friendship. I may have only touched on one person in this blog but you all count in my book. Sappy ain't it...hehehe

So go on, call a friend you haven't talked to in a while and see what they are up to this weekend. Go out with them and reaquaint yourself with them. Cause when things go bad in any part of your life they are the ones who will be there for you.

- LewisG

Children of the 80s unite!!

What is up with all of these 80's icon's returning in commercials or popping up in random movies. Watching the Bruins game (yet another game where the B's couldn't hold a one goal lead with a minute left) and what do I see a number of times but ALF, Alien LifeForm. He had his own series back in the 80's. Now he hawking long distance savings for a company. Granted he's the smartest one in the commercial due to a supporting cast of Terry Bradshaw, but seriously was he really that funny back when he was on television in his own series? An alien that lives in suburbia with a particular taste for cat. Now there was the concept. But I digress (love that word...hehehe), the 80's were about Dynasty, one hit wonders, Miami Vice, Wall Street, greed, Ronald Reagan, the iron claw, permed hair on women, and bad movies featuring Corey Haim. C'mon can you really want to take a furry Muppets word on how to dial for long distance. I think the Mr. T spots make more sense. But I wonder when they are going to bring back Murdoch or the Face Man from the A Team. Or maybe Punky Brewster. Anybody else i may have missed? How about the cast of Dynasty. They would probably just slap and backstab each other all commercial.

Ahhh...the trip down amnesia lane....

I'm telling ya. Nothing beats a good bagel and cup o' joe in the morning. Especially when it follows a butt kicking workout in the morning before work.

I often wonder why it really is I get my lazy white ass out of bed and go to the gym during the week. Why put myself through multiple sets of repetitive weight training. Drink water like a camel. Sweat all over the equiptment which makes it slippery and may cause the whole bar to come crashing on my cranium. Make veins pop out of areas they really should not be. I suppose you could look at it in terms of our culture. Where we are bombarded by images of fit and crazy thin people. Does that mean everyone is in the gym to make their appearance better? Probably. But there are some like myself who consider it more of an exercise. Get the blood flowing for the day. I used to weight train for tennis on a daily basis and that was merely for injury prevention and trying to blister my serve from 110 to 120. (Highest I got it was 118...) But now it is more for keeping things aligned. Last thing I'd want to have happen is stop working out and just see myself doing the cookie curl on the couch every night. I'm more alive and alert after a good workout, gym or otherwise. And having a body that is in shape makes you feel a bit more confident and ready to take on the world. As long as the coffee keeps me awake....sigh...

And a quick shout goes out to Eric Turner in Stockholm!! Eric is an American refugee who got sucked into the lights and Europeaness of Sweden a number of years ago. He is finally returning to our shores this fall. And he has so far won the best comment quote contest. His quote...

"I enjoy reading your column. You sound like the narrator on an HBO series." - Mr. Eric Turner

Another full hour of daylight at night. Actually now makes working until 6 palatable. I now know that at least by the time I get home there will be enough sunlight to bask in before nightfall.

Amending the Murphy's Law comment from last Friday. It is true. However it get's better when you get a return wave. (Thanks for that kiddo... ;o) )

Congrats to UMaine for making it as far as they did. A heartbreaker in the final one minute of the period but the kids prevailed where it counts. Heart. They had to persevere through the season following the death of their coach Shawn Walsh. Behind the bench the jersey bearing his name hung behind the players and they played the final 75% of the season the hardest they ever have. Great season and a final appearance. Couldn't ask for much more. But the title of course.

Got to mountain bike a bit this weekend on some new clipless pedals. Only fell a few times, getting used to the release mechanism. But by five miles later it was becoming second nature and made the ride more of a workout that with the bucket clips I had previously. ;o)

Have a great Monday and remember only 4 more days until Happy Hour.

- LewisG

Finally Friday Edition!!

Clearing out the brain of the blog writer....

I'll never fully understand the conflict in the Middle East. Why people put a bunch of explosives on themselves and commit suicide to kill three or four innocent people.

No matter how hard you try not to forget someone you still see them or their car everywhere. I don't know if it's a Murphy's Law or not.

College hockey is more exciting than pro hockey. They don't play for money. They play for school pride and the chance at the Frozen Four (similiar to the final four in basketball..). No red line helps to allow for more exciting playmaking and scoring chances.

The time change is the weekend. So an extra hour of sunlight after work. And in the morning the sun coming through the windows at 515AM lately will now be pushed back to 6...thankfully.

Everyone have a great weekend and talk to you on Monday!!

- LewisG

Nothing really new to say today. Kind of a mental off day. Ah here's a topic.. Been having really great dreams about nothing in particular. Problem is I actually remember them and the main subject of all these dreams the past few weeks was a former ex- of mine. You forget all your other dreams, or just remember small snippets of information from the dreams. These were very vibrant and I remembered every minute detail of the dreams. So I get to replay it over and over all morning. Hell even in the dreams she still looks good and smells good. Talk about a great mind fuck in the morning. But they are all fond, warm. fuzzy memories so I take solace in that. The hockey game. Playing pool and darts. Sitting on the couch laughing. I'm glad to actually have these. Yeah it can depress me for a bit in the morning but the more I think about it the more it puts a smile on my face because of the fun it all was. - LewisG

Go UMaine hockey vs. UNH today in the Frozen Four!!

International Laundry Night. If you are like me there is no laundry facility in the building I rent from and I have to travel to a laundrymat in town to get some clean drawers. Let's face it, when you do laundry in this fashion it's almost a planned night. Dropping off the laundry into the washers. Then into the dryer. Then a fold. A few hours of sheer cleaning bliss. And the great thing is the smell of freshly washed clothes. I'm particular to Bounce so that is the great scent that eminates from the clothing that I wear. (If it's different from Bounce then I apologize....hehehe) Also last night I got to wash my new sheets. They are made out of cotton jersey fabric. Had to 86 the flannel sheets. White sheets and a black dog that loves to shed just didn't mix too well. But I digress. The new sheets, warm from the dryer and smelling awfully fresh, were soft and cozy. Almost didn't make it out of bed this morning due to that. But boy what a soft, comfortable bed. ;o)

Got to run into a friend I haven't seen in a while this morning. To that individual, it was great speaking with you again.

- LewisG

There is a reason why you never screw with an origional classic movie. Caddyshack. Best golf movie ever made. Caddyshack 2. I wouldn't let my dog watch it. Now Slapshot. The best hockey movie of all time. Slapshot 2??? read this: http://msn.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/buccigross_john/1361310.html

...thankfully it went straight to video....

- LewisG

The end of the cribbage season. My partner, Geep, and I made the final night, which was last night. During the season we finished in first in our division and had a great head of steam heading into the playoffs. However after a great opening round the previous week, the cards seemed to lose their magic. So to make a long story really short, we finished in fourth overall. The first game was against last years champions. And with some good hands it would have been a sweet upset but alas to no avail. So we were sent to play in the "Kiss your Sister" match to decide third and fourth place. This game was probably the best because of the looseness of our opponents and us. Also it helped that people were throwing us shots during our game. (Jager....damn you to hell....) So even though we didn't take home the large cash pot, we did get the small cash pot. Basically paid our bar tab for the night.. On the positive side, I had a fun time during cribbage. From the first night in January when you meet everybody (I even had a pseudo date that night after the game, which was nice.) up to the end of the season. Meet some really nice people. Got to know my partner somemore than I already did. It was a great ride.

To all of those who wished us well during the season, from friends to signifigant others we were dating at the time, we thank you for your support and mojo you gave us. Between that and the beers it was what we needed to play a great season. - LewisG

Forgot to post this yesterday due to an immense fog that was circulating my brain all day yesterday. I think that I think too much....

Spent the Easter holiday with my grandmother at her retirement home in Massachusetts yesterday. I don't get to see her too much due to geographical issues but I do try to see her at least twice a month. It's a nice feeling when I walk in to see her light up while I'm there. She seems looser and happier. I guess it is tough living on your own in a strange place. With family scattered around the country she doesn't get a good daily visit. But for all of that she manages to be the social butterfly that she is, chatting away with anyone and everyone. Even the women, with whom we ate with on Sunday, knew my life story before I even sat down. Even though I was down and grumpy during my drive down and back, it was a cheerful situation in there. Makes you forget about most things that are going on in your life and concentrate on all the good. - LewisG

It's a rite of passage in the sporting world today. Opening Day in baseball. I can imagine Landsdowne Street next to Fenway Park in Boston. Streets lined with people in Sox caps. The smell of sausages being cooked by about thirty vendors. The occasional shady character mumbling under his breath at passing pedestrians, "Need Tickets?" The banners saluting the new season. You can begin to see the trees budding up and the warmer air coming from the south. Almost makes you want to unpack all the summer clothes and just throw all those sweaters and bulky clothes into storage for another 7 months. And if I wasn't in Maine I'd do exactly that thing. - LewisG

p.s. It's April Fools Day. Go place a fart cushion under your best friend today!!